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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Runnels County, TX

Acorn squash is a small winter squash with dark green, ribbed skin and mildly sweet orange flesh. It is perfect for stuffing and roasting as individual servings.

Runnels County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 4,833 feet, Runnels County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Runnels County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Runnels County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 23

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 366 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,575 GDD — county provides 4,217 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Runnels County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Jul 30

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

80โ€“100 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

241 days

Growing Tips for Runnels County

Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when the ground spot turns orange and the skin is hard. Acorn squash has a shorter storage life than butternut, lasting about 2 months.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Acorn Squash in Runnels County, TX?

Runnels County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Runnels County, TX?

Runnels County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Runnels County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Runnels County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.